NEWSLETTER
The first game of the 2023 regular season is just a week from Thursday. We still have nine Cactus league games (in eight days) plus an off-day, but it is just around the corner! I am legitimately hyped. The first of those nine games is tonight against the Royals at Surprise Stadium. Kansas City has a league-leading 16 wins this spring, so watch out!
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, SS
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Ian Happ, LF
- Eric Hosmer, 1B
- Patrick Wisdom, 3B
- Nelson Velázquez, RF
- Matt Mervis, DH
- Tucker Barnhart, C
- Chris Morel, CF
I continue to be surprised at just how aggressively David Ross and the Cubs have moved Chris Morel around this spring. I think the only positions he hasn’t played is first base, catcher, and pitcher. He’ll likely head to Iowa to start the year (remember, he skipped over Triple-A), but I remain perfectly excited about his present ability as a useful utility player and potential future ability as something closer to a starter.
Maybe he’ll always be a “move around” guy, but there are plenty of opportunities for those types, especially if they demonstrate the ability to hit.
Other than that, I’d like to start seeing Dansby Swanson connect a bit at the plate. And I just love getting to see as much Matt Mervis now as possible. His time is coming.
Pitching Matchup
Cubs: Jameson Taillon, RHP
Royals: Jordan Lyles, RHP
How to Watch
Chicago Cubs (11-10) vs Kansas City Royals (16-9) at 8:05 CT on Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
